Chapter 290 - 286: Old-fashioned Romance Novel Heroine 6

Chapter 290: Chapter 286: Old-fashioned Romance Novel Heroine 6

When the morning sun streamed through the gap in the curtains, Ji Xiaosong realized Huo Chen was no longer in bed.

She reached out and felt the spot beside her. The sheet was still faintly warm.

A note sat on the nightstand, its message scrawled in an elegant, flowing script:

"10 AM. The driver will take you to the old estate. Wear the dark green qipao."

Ji Xiaosong picked up her phone and saw it was only seven-thirty.

She was about to go back to sleep when a soft knock came at the door.

"Madam, are you awake?" The butler’s voice sounded from outside the door. "Old Madam Huo has sent someone with breakfast."

An exquisite breakfast was laid out on the food cart. The most prominent dish was a bowl of steaming bird’s nest porridge, with a small card placed beside it:

"A welcome gift for my great-grandchild—Grandma."

Ji Xiaosong didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. ’The baby is still so small, and it’s already their great-grandchild?’

She had just finished breakfast when the styling team arrived.

Three young women pushed in a rolling rack laden with clothes, followed by a makeup artist and a hairstylist.

"Mr. Huo said you are to wear this one."

The lead stylist took down the dark green qipao.

Ji Xiaosong recognized the qipao. Huo Chen had a designer custom-make it for her last month, saying it was for an important occasion.

At the time, she’d wondered what sort of occasion would require a qipao. Now she understood.

Two hours later, Ji Xiaosong could barely recognize her own reflection.

Her jet-black hair was swept into an elegant chignon, her face adorned with tasteful, light makeup. The dark green qipao complemented her skin, making it look as smooth and fair as porcelain.

The most striking feature was the jade bracelet on her wrist, which gleamed with a gentle, warm luster in the sunlight.

"You look so beautiful, Madam," the stylist praised sincerely. "This qipao looks like it was made just for you."

Just as Ji Xiaosong was about to speak, her phone rang.

It was a text from Huo Chen: "A last-minute meeting came up. Have the driver take you ahead. I’ll get there as soon as possible."

She pursed her lips and put her phone away.

’Looks like I’ll have to face the two Huo elders alone,’ she thought.

The Huo Family’s old estate was a manor on the city outskirts, nestled halfway up a mountain and blending Chinese and Western architectural styles.

As the car passed through the main gates, Ji Xiaosong saw the road ahead was lined with servants, every one of them standing with their head bowed in respect.

"What a spectacle..." she muttered under her breath. "Old Madam Huo started preparing three days ago."

The driver explained, "When she heard you were coming, she had the entire estate redecorated."

The car stopped before the main house.

Ji Xiaosong had just stepped out of the car when she saw an old woman with a full head of silver hair striding toward her with a surprisingly brisk pace.

"Oh, my darling granddaughter-in-law!"

Old Madam Huo grabbed Ji Xiaosong’s hand, her eyes fixed on her stomach. "Quick, let Grandma see!"

Startled by her enthusiasm, Ji Xiaosong instinctively took half a step back.

"Don’t scare the girl," a stern voice called out.

Ji Xiaosong looked up to see a spirited old man standing on the steps. Though he leaned on a cane, his posture was ramrod straight.

"Hello, Grandfather."

She quickly bowed.

Mr. Huo strode down the steps, his eyes smiling until they were narrow slits. "Excellent, excellent. Come inside, quickly. It’s windy out."

The inside of the old estate was even more luxurious than the outside.

After passing through a hall with a high, vaulted ceiling, Ji Xiaosong was led into a sunroom.

The floor-to-ceiling windows looked out onto a meticulously manicured garden, while the room itself was filled with various health supplements and baby supplies.

"This is..." Ji Xiaosong stared, dumbfounded, at the small mountain of gifts.

"It’s all for you and the baby."

Old Madam Huo pulled her down to sit, personally pouring her a cup of ginseng tea. "That boy, Chenchen, is so thoughtless. To think he’d hide something this big from us for so long."

Mr. Huo cleared his throat. "I hear you had a whirlwind marriage?"

The hand Ji Xiaosong used to hold her teacup trembled slightly. "Yes, Grandfather."

"Ah, to be young. I understand." The old man smiled knowingly. "But now that you’re carrying a child of the Huo Family, we must arrange the wedding quickly."

"Yes, yes!" Old Madam Huo clapped. "I’ve already contacted the designers at ML. They’re flying in tomorrow to take your measurements for the wedding gown."

Ji Xiaosong nearly choked on her ginseng tea. "Grandma, you don’t have to go to all this trouble..."

"How is it trouble?" Old Madam Huo chided gently. "The Huo Family has had a single heir for three generations. This wedding must be a grand and glorious affair."

Just then, the butler hurried in. "Sir, the Young Master is back."

Huo Chen strode into the sunroom, his suit jacket slung over one arm and his tie loosened. He had clearly rushed to get back.

His eyes went straight to Ji Xiaosong, only turning to his grandparents after confirming she was alright.

"Grandfather. Grandmother."

"You little brat!"

The old man raised his cane threateningly. "You dare hide something this important from us?"

Huo Chen dodged it easily and sat beside Ji Xiaosong. "Well, I’ve brought her to meet you both now, haven’t I?"

Old Madam Huo’s eyes suddenly reddened. "If only your father could have seen this day..."

The mood in the room instantly grew somber.

Ji Xiaosong knew that Huo Chen’s parents had died in a plane crash when he was ten, and that his grandparents had raised him single-handedly.

"Grandma,"

Huo Chen took the old woman’s hand. "He can see it."

During lunch, Old Madam Huo relentlessly piled food into Ji Xiaosong’s bowl until it became a small mound.

"Eat more, eat more. You’re eating for two now."

Ji Xiaosong looked at the mountain of delicacies before her, but she had no appetite. "Grandma, I can’t possibly eat all this..."

"Nonsense!" Old Madam Huo frowned. "You’re too skinny. It’s not good for the baby."

Suddenly, Huo Chen reached over and scooped half the food from Ji Xiaosong’s bowl into his own. "Her stomach is delicate. Smaller, more frequent meals are better for her."

At this, the two elders exchanged a knowing glance.

After lunch, Mr. Huo called Huo Chen into the study, while Old Madam Huo led Ji Xiaosong to the nursery.

"Chenchen stayed in this room when he was little."

Old Madam Huo caressed the antique crib. "After his parents..."

The old woman’s voice choked with emotion. "This room was never used again."

Looking at the room full of toys and baby supplies, Ji Xiaosong felt a sudden pang of sadness.

This room carried the weight of so much hope and regret.

"Xiaosong," Old Madam Huo said, suddenly grabbing her hand, "I have to ask something of you."

"Please, go ahead."

"I don’t care how things started between you and Chenchen. Now that there’s a child, you have to build a good life together."

Tears shimmered in the old woman’s eyes. "That boy may seem cold, but he actually feels things more deeply than anyone."

Ji Xiaosong didn’t know how to respond, so she could only give a slight nod.

On the drive back, Huo Chen was silent.

He didn’t speak until the car entered the city. "My grandparents really like you."

Ji Xiaosong watched the scenery fly past the window. "They just like the baby in my stomach."

Huo Chen suddenly slammed on the brakes, pulling the car to a stop on the side of the road.

He turned to face Ji Xiaosong, his gaze more serious than she had ever seen it. "It’s not just about the baby."

"What?"

"I chose you. It wasn’t just because of the baby."

He reached out, his hand caressing her cheek. "From the moment you fought back against the Yang Family at the board meeting, I knew you were the only one worthy of being Mrs. Huo."

Ji Xiaosong’s heart hammered in her chest. Huo Chen’s gaze was too intense, leaving her at a loss.

"We..."

Just as she was about to speak, Huo Chen’s phone rang.

He answered with a frown, his expression turning grave in an instant.

"When did it happen?... I’m on my way."

Hanging up, he started the car again. "Something’s happened to Chen Mo."

"What?"

"A car crash. He’s in the emergency room right now."

Huo Chen’s voice was terrifyingly calm. "Yang Yang was in the car, too."

Ji Xiaosong gasped. "Is it serious?"

"Chen Mo is severely injured; Yang Yang’s injuries are minor." Huo Chen turned the steering wheel. "The police suspect it wasn’t an accident."

The car turned and sped toward the hospital.

Ji Xiaosong stared at Huo Chen’s tense profile and suddenly realized this wealthy family feud was far from over.

And she was already trapped in the middle of it.

In the hospital corridor, a police officer was taking a statement from Yang Yang.

Upon seeing Huo Chen and Ji Xiaosong, Yang Yang shrieked.

"It was you! You’re the ones who did this to Chen Mo!"

Huo Chen pulled Ji Xiaosong behind him. "Miss Yang, I suggest you watch what you say."

"Stop pretending!" Yang Yang screamed hysterically. "Just because we learned the secret, you tried to have us killed!"

Ji Xiaosong’s heart clenched. "What secret?"

Yang Yang’s gaze fell to Ji Xiaosong’s stomach, and a strange, twisted smile spread across her face.

"You think you’re safe and sound just because you’re carrying the Huo Family’s heir? Just you wait. The show is just getting started..."

Huo Chen grabbed Ji Xiaosong’s arm. "We’re leaving."

Back in the car, Ji Xiaosong’s hands were still trembling. "What did she mean by that?"

Huo Chen squeezed her hand tightly. "She’s just bluffing."

But his expression was exceptionally grim. "From this day on, you are not to go out alone."

Ji Xiaosong suddenly realized that this marriage brought with it far more than just a child and the title of Mrs. Huo.

There were also unseen dangers and an inescapable web of wealthy family rivalries.

That night, Huo Chen personally inspected every corner of the villa, even recalibrating the security cameras in the garden.

Ji Xiaosong stood at the bedroom window, watching his bustling figure in the yard below, her heart a turmoil of mixed emotions.

’Is this man genuinely protecting me, or just the Huo family bloodline?’

Huo Chen looked up, his gaze meeting hers.

In the moonlight, his eyes were as deep as the ocean, hiding a myriad of emotions she couldn’t decipher.

"Go to sleep," he mouthed.

Ji Xiaosong drew the curtains, but as she lay in bed, sleep was the furthest thing from her mind.

The jade bracelet on her wrist felt as cool as ever, but now, it could never be removed.

Just like this marriage. Once it began, there was no turning back.